A win or a bonus-point loss would have secured the Brumbies a finals berth for the first time since 2004. Instead, the loss and subsequent victory by the Reds over the Waratahs last night ended a season that had promised more.

It was not the way the revival of the Brumbies was supposed to finish after a stunning turnaround under new coach Jake White. But the 34 missed tackles and the lack of possession crippled them. Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore - who was playing his 100th game - said the side failed to take their chances.

''They played well, we started poorly and gave a lot of ground and missed tackles away,'' Moore said. ''We didn't take our opportunities.''

The Blues had won just three games going into the match. But in a twist, it looked as if the Blues - not the Brumbies - were playing for a finals spot as they carved up the ACT defence and ran wild across the field.

Meanwhile, Western Force stalwart Nathan Sharpe's Super Rugby farewell turned into a first-half nightmare as the Crusaders cruised to a 38-24 triumph in Christchurch last night.